Reading John Grisham books in order introduces you to a series of legal thrillers that will make you fall in love with the nonstop suspense.
In the past three decades, John Grisham has written nearly a book each year, with a number of them adopted into popular movies.
Right from his debut novel, “A Time to Kill” to the 2021 release, “Sooley,” Grisham’s books are nothing short of captivating.
Over the years of his writing, he has branched from the legal stories he is popularly known for and published sports and non-fiction stories. However, you will not notice much difference in his niche change, as they are all as intriguing.
Who is John Grisham?
Grisham is an American novelist who is one of only three authors to sell 2 million copies on a first printing alongside J.K Rowling and Tom Clancy.
Before becoming an author, he was a master of legal thrillers working as a criminal defense attorney.
He authored his first book, “A Time to Kill,” inspired by an actual court case. His second novel, “The Firm,” got him into the spotlight and made him consider a career as a writer.
Today, John Grisham has sold over 300 million books worldwide that have been translated into 42 languages.
He has written over 40 books, including fiction, thrillers, young adult books, and short stories.
John Grisham Books in Order of Publication
John Grisham books are available in two styles – Legal stories and non-legal stories.
The legal stories being the first books, have always drawn more attention to fans than the others. If you are a new addict of John Grisham’s books, we propose you read them in either of these orders below.
Recent & Upcoming John Grisham Releases:
The Boys From Biloxi (October 18, 2022)
The Exchange: After The Firm (Expected: October 17, 2023)
John Grisham Books in Order – The Legal Stories
The best of the three ways is to read these novels in their publishing order as listed below.
The Firm Books
- The Firm (1991)
- The Exchange: After The Firm (Expected: October 17, 2023)
Standalone Books
- The Pelican Brief (1992)
- The Client (1993)
- The Chamber (1994)
- The Rainmaker (1995)
- The Runaway Jury (1996)
- The Partner (1997)
- The Street Lawyer (1998)
- The Testament (1999)
- The Brethren (2000)
- The Summons (2002)
- The King of Torts (2003)
- The Last Juror (2004)
- The Broker (2005)
- The Innocent Man (2006)
- The Appeal (2008)
- The Associate (2009)
- Ford County (2009)
- The Confession (2010)
- The Litigators (2011)
- The Racketeer (2012)
- Gray Mountain (2014)
- The Rooster Bar (2018)
- The Reckoning (2019)
- The Guardians (2019)
- Sooley (2021)
- The Boys From Biloxi (2022)
Rogue Lawyer Books
- Rogue Lawyer (2015)
- Partners (2016) (Short Story)
Whistler Books
- Witness to a Trial (2016) (Short Story Prequel)
- The Whistler (2016)
- The Judge’s List (2021)
John Grisham Books in Order – Jake Brigance and Theodore Boone Series
For these two series, it’s best to start with Jake Brigance and move on to Theodore Boone Series.
Jake Brigance
The books follow Jake Brigance, an attorney from Canton, Mississippi, and it’s best to read them in this order.
- A Time to Kill (1989)
- Sycamore Row (2013)
- A Time For Mercy (2020)
- Sparring Partners (2022)
Theodore Boone
This John Grisham book series is about Theodore Boone, a 13-year-old student who resides in Strattenburg city, Pennsylvania. He has spent more time in the courtroom than anywhere else and wants to follow in his parent’s footsteps, who are both lawyers.
Theo knows every judge, court clerk, police officer and a lot about the law due to his parent’s career, and he happily dispenses legal advice to his friends leading to new adventures. Read these books in the following order.
- Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer (2010)
- Theodore Boone: The Abduction (2011)
- Theodore Boone: The Accused (2012)
- Theodore Boone: The Activist (2013)
- Theodore Boone: The Fugitive (2015)
- Theodore Boone: The Scandal (2016)
- Theodore Boone: The Accomplice (2019)
John Grisham Books in Order – Other Non-Legal Stories
Here are the non-legal John Grisham books in order.
Standalone Books
- A Painted House (2001)
- Skipping Christmas (2001)
- Bleachers (2003)
- Playing for Pizza (2007)
- Calico Joe (2012)
- The Tumor: A Non-Legal Thriller (2016) (Novella)
Camino Island Books
- Camino Island (2017)
- Camino Winds (2020)
Final Thoughts on John Grisham Books in Order
Are you a huge fan of John Grisham’s books? Have you just begun reading these books and don’t know where to start?
You now have three ways to read through the John Grisham books in order from the first to the last.
Which order is best for you? Let us know!
Looking for more books in order?
Check out my list of Alex Cross books in order.
24 thoughts on “All 50+ John Grisham Books in Order | The Ultimate Guide”
Just started your books. Love them!
Question? What became of Jakes Smallwwood case? How much did he make? Did Drew get another trial after the hung jury?
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to help you there. I’m not John Grisham or anyone associated with him. I did try to do some research on the topic for you, but could not find any additional information as to what happens to Drew after the trial “concludes” in the book.
I think the author intends for us to fill in the blanks. The TV show, Bull, does this a lot, too. The primary crisis is averted, and we are to assume that there is another trial, but with the primary penalty or biggest danger past, we can assume that anything else that happens is more desirable by characters involved and thus a “happy ending” if you will.
I love John Grisham books and I’m trying to read them all.
He is a prolific writer!
I started reading Alex Cross series in order on Jan 1st, 2022.
John Grisham is next. My sister is sending the series to me.
Both excellent series/books to read. Enjoy!
You will enjoy them all. I have read until I am begging for more books. Waiting for new release. Grisham is the best of legalese.
Love John’s story. I pretty much has everyone. It is a good gift list for family to me 🙂
Hi,
Hope you and family are fine.
Thanks for the list. I am big fan as the first book I read in 90’s was The Firm. Got me hooked on Grisham wagon 😁.
Many I have not read so thanks once again.
Take care and be safe.
Love his books and was happy to see he started doing mini series as his writing leaves me wondering what happened to the lawyer in every book. Catherine Coulter also has 2 seties, one involving the US FBI husbsnd and wife team, and another about a Brit in the FBI. They are as addicting as James Pattersons Alex Cross.
Great fan of Grisham. Read 37 out of his 40 books. Love the way he writes. Never know how the story ends. Love also Patterson’s books with Alex Cross, great thrillers. Keeps you reading all night long.
So easy to read. I have read all of them and have pre-ordered Oct. 2022 book already. Any writing by him has to be good.
I agree! John Grisham is such a great writer.
I also love Grisham novels, gets me hooked first paragraph. However I’m near the end of Sparing Partners and realized it’s three different cases. Should have read the info about the book before I bought it. Stories leave you wondering.
I have read all of John’s books, in the order described by this web site…when will we see more of his great stories?
As of this writing, the next book to come out is The Boys from Biloxi, slated to release in October 2022.
I loved reading from a very tender age. Read every Mills & boon there was then went to Daniel steel.then every thing else. I stopped reading because I came to a point where every book was like the same to me. Until 1997 when I got hold of A TIME TO KILL..This was the best book I had read. L.S.S. Today am just waiting for his next book.
Thanks John Grisham for renewing my love for reading.
I only started John Grishm books because my mother asked me to read the first 3 pages because she knew I would have to find out the end Jihn Grisham’s book The Testament. Mom was right, I could not even think about any else until finished that book. Not sure if it has been made into a movie yet but think it is one of his best works.
Hello, I just read my first John Grisham book, The Guardians! Very good! Loved the story and the style! Now I need to read the next one? Which one would you suggest next? Thank you!
Awesome! You’re in for a treat getting to work through John Grisham’s books for the first time.
like everybody else on the replies i was hooked when i read a time to kill. the most recent was time of mercy
I’m obsessed with the Clanton stories. I would love it if there’d be a Telly series with that setting. I’ve read all of his legal novels. Brilliant, just brilliant.
I love reading John Grisham’s books and have read almost all of them and am looking forward to the next ones, I hope they will be soon as I am fast marching on to celebrate my 93rd birthday.Billie Jo Odom
I was reading Grisham when I was younger, going to college. I stopped when working. I am starting again from the beginning today because I have a lot of time on my hand due to a disability. I am sure I will have plenty of time to start at the beginning and make to the end. He is awesome and my favorite.